City Of Peterborough Community Safety And Wellbeing Plan Survey Now Open

A survey has been launched to gather public input for the creation of a Community Safety and Well-being Plan on behalf of the City and County of Peterborough, along with five local townships (Trent Lakes, Selwyn, Douro-Dummer, Havelock-Belmont-Methuen and North Kawartha).

Stock Photo.

The purpose of the Plan is to develop collaborative actions to build a community where everyone is safe and included. To achieve this, the community will need to work together in new ways to address safety and well-being issues through programs and services that are available to all who live, work and play in the City and County of Peterborough.

“It is important that the Community Safety and Well-being Plan is shaped by the community,” said Chris Kawalec, Community Development Program Manager for the City of Peterborough. “We want to know how people feel about safety and well-being in their neighbourhoods, and we hope they’ll share their thoughts and experiences with us.”

A page on the City’s public engagement website Connect Peterborough provides background on the development of the Plan, including the interim Plan, results of engagement with local service providers, and plans for additional public engagement opportunities.

The survey asks about perceptions and experiences in the community, and suggestions for how to improve safety and well-being. The consultation also includes a map, so community members can identify specific areas where they feel safe and unsafe.

The survey is open to all residents in the City and County of Peterborough, Curve Lake First Nation, and Hiawatha First Nation, including all permanent and seasonal residents, as well as those who are living unhoused. It is being administered by the City of Peterborough on behalf of the partner municipalities, and is open until April 1.

A paper copy of the survey can be found at local libraries in the City and Townships or by calling 705-748-8830 ext. 3815.

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Peterborough Civic Awards Accepting Nominations From the Public

The Annual City of Peterborough Civic Awards has opened nominations to the public until March 25 at 4:30 p.m. announced on Tuesday.

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

The awards recognize and honour citizens who had outstanding achievements in 2021 including volunteer leaders and achievers in arts, culture and sports to be publicly recognized for their contributions to the City of Peterborough.

Nomination packages are available online at www.peterborough.ca/civicawards. Nominations can be submitted online using the interactive form and hard-copy packages are available at City Hall, 500 George St. N.

“If you know of an individual or group who is deserving of a 2021 Civic Award, please nominate them,” said Deputy Mayor Andrew Beamer. “We know there are amazing people who have contributed to making Peterborough a special community. Let’s make sure they are recognized.”

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City Releases List Of City Service Changes As Province Eases COVID Restrictions

Following the Province of Ontario’s update to COVID-19 regulations effective Tuesday the City of Peterborough has updated its protocols for use of City facilities.

Photo by Angela O’Grady.

Under the Province’s Exit Step for COVID-19 regulations, businesses and organizations, including the City of Peterborough, are required to:

• Post passive screening at entrances, with the questions following guidance issued from the Chief Medical Officer of Health

• Require masks/face coverings in all indoor areas, with limited exceptions

The regulations for the Province’s Exit Step are posted on the Province of Ontario website at ontario.ca.

While the Province has lifted proof of vaccination requirements, Peterborough Public Health continues to strongly recommend vaccinations. Vaccinations are important to decreasing the occurrence of serious illness from COVID-19. Visit peterboroughpublichealth.ca for information regarding the pandemic and to find a vaccine clinic.

Arenas

In accordance with provincial regulations, the following measures for community use at all arena facilities are in effect as of Tuesday:

• Proof of Vaccination will no longer be required for entry

• Passive Screening is to be completed by individuals prior to entry, signage will be posted at all entry points

• Masks/face coverings are required, limited exemptions apply

• No restriction on capacity limits, including non-spectating or spectator areas Food and beverage consumption is permitted, masks to be worn at all times while not consuming

• Access to facilities will be provided a minimum of 30 minutes prior to permitted time

• Safety Plans will continue to be required from permitted users/groups using the facility

Healthy Planet Arena will continue to be used for vaccination clinics. Please visit the Peterborough Public Health website for clinic information.

Art Gallery of Peterborough

The Art Gallery of Peterborough Shop will be reopening to the public on Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will be resuming regular public hours of operation Wednesday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Art Gallery has been closed during renovations/improvements to lighting in the facility.

Peterborough Museum and Archives

Effective Tuesday, capacity limits for the exhibition gallery and gift shop at the Peterborough Museum and Archives is lifted.

Mask/face covering requirements and passive screening of patrons will continue.

Peterborough Public Library

There are no changes at Peterborough Public Library, with no requirement for proof of vaccination and no capacity limits under the Province’s COVID-19 regulations for the library.

Mask/face covering requirements and physical distancing remains in place.

Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre

In accordance with provincial regulations, the Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre provides the following update:

• Proof of vaccination is not required

• Capacity limits are removed

• Screening will be self-assessed with screening questions posted around the Centre and at entrances

• Mask and/or face coverings required when not engaging in physical activity

• Enhanced cleaning procedures including spray bottle disinfectant and change room cleaning procedures remain in effect.

Provincial Offences Act Office

Effective Tuesday, the Provincial Offences Act Office is removing capacity restrictions in the lobby. Mask and/or face coverings are required. In-person front counter hours return to 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.

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Public Meeting Being Held To Address Peterborough's Waste Management Master Plan

Residents and stakeholders are invited to attend a virtual public meeting on Tuesday at 7 p.m. to learn about the City’s review and update of its 2012 Waste Management Master Plan and to give input.

Photo courtesy of The City of Peterborough.

Through updating the Plan, the City will consider proven waste diversion programs, policies and strategies that have been implemented successfully in other jurisdictions across Ontario.

Recommendations on waste management activities generated through the review process will go to City Council to consider updates to the City’s Waste Management Master Plan.

The Plan looks to improve on the City’s already strong landfill diversion rate of 53 per cent, which puts the City among the leaders in Ontario for waste diversion. Numbers are released as part of the annual Resource Productivity and Recovery Authority Datacall, Ontario's standardized waste reporting and calculation process. The numbers released on Jan. 13, 2022 reflect data for 2020.

To register for the meeting visit www.connectptbo.ca/wasteplan2022 or call 705-742-7777 ext. 1724.

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Virtual Reality Simulating Life With Disabilities Gets Funded For Local Council; New Convention For Disability Awareness Announced

The Council for Persons with Disabilities (CPD) received funding of $26,340 towards developing a virtual reality program to be showcased at a new convention called Capable Con announced Friday.

(left to right) Andrea Dodsworth, CPD chair; MPP Dave Smith; Leslie Yee; Akira, Yee’s guide dog; CPD Vice-chair and Minister Raymond Cho dressed in capes to highlight the heroes involved with CPD. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The Enabling Change Grant went towards the CPD’s Time in My Shoes program and was administered by Minister Raymond Cho who attended the event with local councillors and government officials.

The virtual reality programs simulate daily tasks while living with a disability so anyone can experience the daily challenges of having an impairment. Disabilities included mobility challenges, invisible disabilities vision and hearing loss.

"Whether it's an aging disability like hearing loss or sight loss or it's something that you're born with, everyone is going to have a disability," said Leslie Yee, CPD Vice-chair. “It's just important to understand what the barriers are and how easily the barriers can be taken away just to make life simpler."

“We're always looking to promote universal design and give people the opportunity to see what it's like so that everyone has a better understanding," said Jason King, CPD Programming and Marketing Assistant. "The physical program and the new virtual reality program, it's a great tool to help individuals get that first-hand experience that they normally wouldn't have."

@ptbo_canada Funding for VR software development of what it’s like to be disabled is being made for the first annual Capable Con for June 4! #disabilityawareness ♬ My Hero - Foo Fighters

Spreading awareness was one of CPD’s goals in developing the virtual reality software.

“All we're trying to do is create more empathy towards the reasons why we're asking for certain things," said Lee. "Making things more accessible, a lot of that is mobility accessibility which is totally great, that's what we need but it's trying to bring that awareness to everybody."

Minister Raymond Cho attempted to navigate with a wheelchair through a city in the virtual reality simulation. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Navigating in a wheelchair was the first simulation available as a demo where Cho was the first to test it.

The funding will aid in the development, equipment and staff wages to have the simulation program fully operable.

The finished product will be showcased at the first-ever “Capable Con” to teach anyone about disabilities, open a conversation and foster a community with those living with disabilities.

Family-friendly activities, entertainment and meeting community members will be focal points of the convention that will take place on June 4, the final day of AccessAbility Week.

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Quaker Oats Celebrates 120th Year On Hunter Street With Limited Edition Clothing Line

Quaker Oats is celebrating the 120th anniversary of its Peterborough factory with the release of a limited edition, Canadian-made clothing line called QUAKERborough.

The limited-edition clothing collection is inspired by the durability grit, and confidence of the hard-working employees at the Quaker Peterborough plant, with 100 per cent of the proceeds being donated to Food Banks Canada.

With an emphasis on the generations of Canadians that have worked at Quaker, the QUAKERborough line is manufactured entirely in Canada by Province of Canada, a manufacturing company located in Toronto.

Jason Wilkins, illustrator, live event artist, muralist and workshop instructor from Peterborough is the creative mind behind the QUAKERborough design.

Wilkins illustrations are featured on the backs of the hoodie and long sleeve.

“I was approached December 2021 to illustrate for their high quality hoodie and long sleeve,” said Wilkins in a social media post on Tuesday. “Something that would incorporate all the awesome that we have here in Peterborough, while presenting that feeling we all get while walking across the Hunter Street bridge. the smell that can not only make a bad day better, but immediately transport us back to childhood.”

The exclusive collection is available online now and with limited quantities of each piece available at quakerborough.ca.

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Extended Hours for One Roof Community Centre On Wednesday and Thursday

One Roof Community Centre will be open for extended hours of service on Wednesday and Thursday due to temperatures anticipated to drop below -15C for the Peterborough area.

One Roof Community Centre began extended hours on select days this year on Jan. 2. Photo courtesy of One Roof Community Centre.

They are open from 8:30 a.m. to noon and 3:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. with the to-go meal provided between 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday. The following day will be open from 8:30 a.m. to noon.

The Centre is closed to drop-in service from noon to 3:00 p.m. for the meal preparation and pickup period to protect the health and safety of the public, volunteers and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Emergency shelters are open and available to people experiencing homelessness who require emergency overnight shelter:

• YES Shelter for Youth and Families, 705-748-3851, 196 Brock St.

• Brock Mission men’s shelter, 705-748-4766, 120 Murray St.

• Cameron House women’s shelter, 705-748-4766, 739 Chemong Rd.

• Overflow Shelter at 210 Wolfe St., overnight phone 705-761-1875

Emergency After Hours Services related to the emergency shelter is available through Social Services by calling 705-926-0096. Please visit the Social Services website for information regarding the After Hours program.

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Peterborough County Calls For Nominations For 2022 Recognition Awards

The County of Peterborough is inviting residents to nominations for the County of Peterborough 2022 Recognition Awards, which may also include nominations for 2021.

File Photo.

Nominations will be accepted for any resident or group residing in the County of Peterborough who has raised the profile or made an extraordinary contribution to our community. The nominee shall not have received a County of Peterborough Recognition Award for a similar category within the last fifteen years.

At the 2022 Recognition Awards Ceremony, the County will also be presenting awards from the 2020 nominations which were cancelled due to COVID-19.

Unless otherwise indicated, there shall be one award for each Township in each category

noted below for each year, 2020 and 2022.

• Accessibility Recognition: A group, individual or business who has contributed to accessibility improvements within the County of Peterborough. (One Countywide award.)

• Acts of Heroism: An individual who has displayed bravery in the face of personal risk, injury or death at an incident that took place either in the County of Peterborough or was to the benefit of a Peterborough County resident and which action did not occur while the individual was acting in his/her professional capacity while on duty. (Unlimited nominations.)

• Agricultural Leadership: Any individual or farm enterprise is eligible to be nominated in this category. Factors that will be used to assess the nomination will include such items as innovations, agricultural promotion and the recognition brought to the County through its operation. It may include involvement in agricultural organizations. Leadership in the agricultural community will also be considered

• Business Leadership: Any new and successful initiatives of both new and established businesses that have made outstanding contributions to the County, including tourism promotion. (One County-wide award.)

• Community Volunteer of the Year: Any group or individual who has demonstrated community involvement or volunteerism within the County.

• Environmental/Sustainability Recognition: Nominees will have demonstrated innovation and/or leadership in environmental conservation, stewardship and sustainability by having:

- Developed innovative green technologies or

- Started businesses to support and encourage sustainable living, or

- Donated conservation lands or easements or

- Undertaken ecosystem restoration or research or

- Educated others about the importance of protecting the environment or

- Achieved the overall vision for sustainability through one of the identified theme areas set out in the Sustainable Peterborough Plan: Agriculture and Local Food; Climate Change; Cultural Assets; Economic Development and Employment; Healthy Communities; Land Use Planning; Natural Assets; Energy; Transportation; Waste; and Water. (One County-wide award.)

• Heritage Preservation: An individual or group who has promoted heritage and preserves the history of Peterborough County. This could include, but is not limited to, Fair boards, Women’s Institutes, historical societies, etc. A community, public or private organization which has reached a significant milestone such as the 100th anniversary of the organization is also eligible for this award. (Please note: Birthdays and anniversaries are recognized on an on-going basis as requested.) (One County-wide award.)

• Leadership in Arts and Culture: A group or individual who has demonstrated excellence in the arts, bringing recognition to the County.

• Sporting Excellence: Any team or individual who has won a provincial, national or international sporting event. (One County-wide award.)

• Youth: A person aged 25 years or younger who has contributed to the betterment of the community and/or school environment.

Nomination forms are available throughout the County at the County of Peterborough offices located at 470 Water Street, Peterborough, from any Local Municipal Office, Township Fire Chiefs, local Police Service Boards, schools, libraries throughout the County, area Chambers of Commerce and Community Care organizations.

This year, Nomination Forms can be completed online at www.ptbocounty.ca/2022RecAwards.

Completed and signed nomination forms with supporting documents provided to the County Clerk up to and including March 15 are requested.

The Peterborough County Awards and Bursaries Committee will review the Nominations and make recommendations to County Council. County Council will select and announce the recipients in May.

The Recognition Awards Ceremony will take place on May 27 at 7:00 p.m. and will be hosted by the Township of Cavan Monaghan at the Cavan Monaghan Community Centre. If the in-person ceremony needs to be cancelled, a virtual ceremony will be held and may be a different date.

Questions can be directed to the County Clerk at 705-743-0380 or 1-800- 710-9586 or by email: clerksoffice@ptbocounty.ca.

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